"Oh yet," continued Albany, turning towards Cecilia, "preach not here
the hardness which ye practice; rather amend yourselves than corrupt
her; and give with liberality what ye ought to receive with gratitude!"

"This is not my doctrine," cried Hobson; "I am not a near man, neither,
but as to giving at that rate, it's quite out of character. I have as
good a right to my own savings, as to my own gettings; and what I say
is this, who'll give to _me_? let me see that, and it's quite another
thing: and begin who will, I'll be bound to go on with him, pound for
pound, or pence for pence. But as to giving to them beggars, it's what
I don't approve; I pay the poor's rate, and that's what I call charity
enough for any man. But for the matter of living well, and spending
one's money handsomely, and having one's comforts about one, why it's a
thing of another nature, and I can say this for myself, and that is, I
never grudged myself any thing in my life. I always made myself
agreeable, and lived on the best. That's my way."

"Bad way too," cried Briggs, "never get on with it, never see beyond
your nose; won't be worth a plum while your head wags!" then, taking
Cecilia apart, "hark'ee, my duck," he added, pointing to Albany, "who
is that Mr Bounce, eh? what is he?"

"I have known him but a short time, Sir; but I think of him very
highly."

"Is he a _good_ man? that's the point, is he a _good_ man?"

"Indeed he appears to me uncommonly benevolent and charitable."